Speaking after our 4-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon, Jason Sraha insists he is relishing the experience of first team football despite less than positive results.
The young centre-back has started the last two fixtures in his first taste of professional football, and he has very much been thrown in at the deep end with senior players out injured and Barnsley consigned to relegation from the Sky Bet Championship.
“Personally, I’m enjoying it, first and foremost,” he said. “Obviously, the results aren’t going our way, but I’m just trying to adapt, keep learning in training and I’m taking it game by game to try and get better, hopefully.
“It’s completely different [to playing at Guiseley AFC]. Obviously, they’re big men and I think that’s what I was learning. These are players with quality and size, so it’s a different type of game.”
Sraha, along with his fellow young teammates, were coping well with the Baggies’ attacking threat, repelling their frustrated hosts and looking likely to head in level at the interval.
However, the game swung on a dubious penalty decision, with the referee adjudging Clarke Oduor to have fouled Jayson Molumby when replays showed our wing-back clearly won the ball.
“I think we had a good start – our structure was working; we were tight and narrow,” discussed Sraha. “The referee killed us with the penalty, which wasn’t a penalty.
“If we went into half-time at 0-0, it would have been easier. But they’re a good side, as well, so it was tough.”
With preparations already underway for next season, Sraha is hopeful of playing a significant role at League One level.
The 19-year-old has looked assured in his performances under Martin Devaney and is aiming to have a positive off-season to hit the ground running upon his return.
“I’ve just got to try and impress every time I go on the pitch or training pitch, in pre-season games and, if I get a chance, to keep taking it,” he stated.
